Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1887-11-17
Drunkenness Abroad.

When so many less m0mentOuS SuD1ecG9
are the topics for discussion in international
and colonial congresses, it is gratifying to
learn that we have at length such congress
for the consideration of inebriety, or what
we prefer to call drunkenness. DR.. Norman
Kerr delivered the opening address of the first
meeting at the Westminster Town Hall, on
the 9Th inst. 1t is lamentable to find that in
all civilized countries this vice-or, as the
Congress prefers to call it. this disease-is so
prevalent. The most educated nations
Scotland, Germany, France-are as deeply
affected as others; and what is sadder still,
they are the most blameworthy in carrying
the m0teTies morbi to uncivilized peoples,
which are being demoraliZed and destroyed
by drink. Our own colonies are drinking
badly. Men Of authority and medical ex-
perience say that in Australia our fellow
subjects drink far beyond anything in
this country, and beyond their own
potations twenty years ago. Cheva-
lier Max Proskowetz de Proskowmar-
storf stated at the Congress that in
Austria drunkenness was increasing
everywhere on dangerous scale. DR..
Petithan, Of Liege, reported alcoholism in
| Belgium to be increasing with frightful
rapidity. Everywhere there are temper
| ance reformers and noble men who set q
splendid example Of sobriety and self-denial
| The leaders of medicine everywhere by their
pathological and other medical studies de-
monstrate the injury done by alcohol to the
essential organs of the body-heart, liver,
kidneys, brain and bladder. What is to be
done against disease so deep and voice 80
| fascinatings DR.. T. d. Crothers thinks that
| in the United States the time is not far dis
tant when the drunkard will be taken from
his home and from the street, and quaran-
tined in special hospitals. The Inadequate
| Habitual Drunkard's bill of our own country
is about to expire, and few weak attempts
at strengthening it are to be made. But
these are not radical remedies. Another sug-
gestion at the Congress was that school
children should be taught the effects OF
drink on health and national welfare.
This is to be commended. Mere general
intelligence is not SO much a safeguard as
might have been expected. Specific infor-
nation drilled into the young Of all the Euro
pean schools seems loudly called for. The
4 medical profession can do much. Statesmen
/ and royal families have grave responsible
| ty brought home to them by Canon Farrar
in heavy Indictment in this months Con-
temporary Review, entitled ''Africa and the
Drink Trade, which is sad reading for the
countrymen of Livingstone and Stanley.
| England, Germany-especially Germany
and the United States, the chief representa-
tives of that religion Of which Charming said
'Christianity is the mighty power before
| which intemperance is to fall, D are pouring
/
i their heartless traders can do it, without re.
straint from their rulers at home, and against
the piteous cry Of the hapless people and chiefs
4 Of the country. who feel that it will destroy
them, and that it is worse curse than the
slave trade, which our fathers did so much
\ to exterminate London Lancet.
A London minister recently stated that in
one street in his locality there are eighteen
public houses and one church.
!, The West Grove penn. Independent says
"Less liquor, less crime; lass crime, less law;
less law, fewer court o.ficials; fewer court
officials, lower taxation lower taxation,
more prosperity"
Texas, says the Safe Ballot, voted about
i 40 900 good, clean, white ballots in favor Of
4 amendment. This vote was made up, even
according to the admission Of its enemies
from the morality, intelligence and respecta'
4 hfifxr r,f fha 70 L.